Does your dog have a tendency to lean on you? If so, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick look at why dogs lean and whether it’s a behavior to be concerned about.
Why Do Dogs Lean on You?
First and foremost, dogs lean on you to show affection, seek security, and express their trust in you.
Sometimes a lean is just a sign of affection — their own version of a doggie hug. If you’re at home or not doing anything stressful when they lean on you, it’s just their way of showing affection. They’re showing that they love you and want to be close to you, and it might be their way of asking for affection back.
If your dog leans on you out in public or in an unfamiliar situation, they may be seeking reassurance. Leaning on you, their most trusted companion, makes them feel safe. In these instances it’s important to let your dog know that everything is fine, since they’re looking to you for guidance and comfort.
Many dogs lean on their owners during puppy training class. As long as you stay calm while your dog leans on you, their behavior tends to calm as well. Over time they learn that you’re going to be there for them, and they can do a quick check-in when they start to feel overwhelmed.
For extremely scary situations, such as fireworks or thunderstorms, leaning alone may not be enough to calm them down. In these instances it helps to work on counter conditioning and boosting their confidence — teaching them over time that the scary thing isn’t so scary after all.
Is Leaning a Problem?
Leaning is only a problem if you find it to be one. If your dog is routinely interrupting you by leaning and you find it bothersome, try redirecting their attention to another calming behavior, like an interactive toy such as a stuffed Kong.
One important note: a dog that leans on you does not mean it’s trying to be dominant. The old dominance myths still persist, whether it’s the idea that a dog leans on you to show who’s boss, or that letting a dog win at tug will make it dominant. Neither are true.
Most often, a dog leans simply to show affection — nothing more, nothing less. It’s their own special way of showing you how much they trust and appreciate having you around.
